Pirates attack a product tanker in South China sea

Aimaru, a tanker registered in Honduras, has been recovered from a pirate attack approximately 40 nautical miles north of the eastern border of Singapore Strait.

The vessel was reported invaded by pirates on Saturday (June 14). Aimaru had departed Singapore and was sailing toward the Gulf of Thailand when seven armed men boarded it. Having tied up the crew, the pirates locked them in one of the cabins. The criminals broke the communication equippement, stole the personal valuables of the crew and part of the gas oil cargo (nearly 630 metric tonnes) was siphoned. Meanwhile, the Malaysian Navy detected the Aimaru anchored off Pulau Aur. The pirates fled the vessel upon seeing an approaching naval vessel. The 14-member crew was unharmed. The cost of the stolen cargo was estimated to 430,000 US dollar.

According to ReCAAP ISC, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) sent two vessels, the Royal Malaysian Navy – one vessel, Singapore Navy deployed one vessel and the Indonesian Navy – two vessels. The incident is being investigated, the police doesn't exclude inside job.

Aimaru (IMO number 7727504 and MMSI 334669000) was built in 1978 and is registered in Honduras. The DWT 1,800-ton vessel is managed by Canter Singapore PTE Ltd.